The Thorn, hidden beneath the streets of Westside, was alive with the sound of battle—growls, roars, and the cheers of bloodthirsty spectators. It was the heart of underground combat in the Mojave, a place where creatures fought for sport, money, and dominance.
Six and his crew stood at the entrance, their newly captured Pokémon—formerly wasteland creatures—secured in Poké Balls at their belts. Night Stalkers, Cazadores, Radscorpions, and even a Deathclaw, now transformed into Pokémon, awaited their turn in the pit.
Rebecca smirked.
"So, let me get this straight—we're entering a Deathclaw in a fight club. This is either the dumbest or the most badass thing we've done."
Raul whistled.
"I'm betting on both."
Boone, ever serious, scanned the arena.
"Place is crawling with mercs. Lot of eyes on us already."
From across the pit, a woman with fiery red hair and a calculating gaze stepped forward—Red Lucy, the Thorn's mastermind. She looked Six up and down before speaking.
"You bring fresh beasts to my Thorn?"
Her voice was smooth, but there was an edge to it, like a predator sizing up competition.
Six grinned.
"Something like that. Figured I'd give your fighters a real challenge."
He unclipped a Poké Ball, spinning it between his fingers.
Red Lucy raised an eyebrow.
"I don't recognize that device. And yet, I sense power within."
She folded her arms.
"Very well. Let's see what you've brought me."
"Go, Swiper!"
With a flick of his wrist, Six released his Deathclaw-Pokémon hybrid into the arena. The massive creature landed with a ground-shaking thud, its mutated form pulsing with newfound energy. The crowd gasped, murmurs spreading like wildfire.
Red Lucy's lips curled into a slow smile.
"Oh… this will be interesting."
The arena fell silent for a moment before erupting into excited murmurs and cheers. Swiper, the transformed Deathclaw—now bearing traits more akin to a Pokémon than a mindless killing machine—flexed its claws and let out a guttural, echoing roar. Its new form crackled with power, a mix of raw wasteland brutality and refined battle instincts.
Rebecca crossed her arms, nodding in approval.
"Yeah, that's definitely the most badass thing we've done."
Red Lucy studied the creature with intrigue, her sharp gaze flicking back to Six.
"This beast… it is unlike anything I've seen before. A true predator."
She stepped forward, the hunger for challenge clear in her eyes.
"But can it prove itself in my Thorn?"
Six smirked.
"Only one way to find out."
Lucy gestured toward the pit.
"Then let's make this a spectacle. Your beast against one of my champions."
She turned and motioned to a handler, who disappeared behind a heavy iron gate.
Moments later, the ground trembled again as another monstrous opponent emerged—a massive, battle-scarred cocaine-drugged Yao Guai, its thick fur matted with blood and dust. The creature snarled, its eyes burning with primal fury as it locked onto the Deathclaw Pokémon.
The crowd roared in anticipation, bets were placed, and Red Lucy raised her hand.
"Let the battle begin!"
Six's smirk widened.
"Alright, Swiper buddy… let's show them what you can do."
His Deathclaw Pokémon crouched low, its muscles coiling like a spring. The battle was about to begin.
The Yao Guai roared, charging forward with terrifying speed for a creature of its size. Its claws gleamed under the arena lights, ready to tear into its opponent. But Swiper stood his ground, claws flexing, eyes locked onto the incoming threat.
"Swiper, Agility!"
Six commanded.
In an instant, Swiper's movements blurred, his massive form shifting like a shadow as he sidestepped the charging Yao Guai. The mutated bear skidded to a halt, growling in frustration as the crowd gasped at the unnatural speed of the Deathclaw Pokémon.
Red Lucy leaned forward, intrigued.
"Fascinating…"
The Yao Guai turned, lunging again with a sweeping strike, but Six was ready.
"Swiper, use Dragon Claw!"
Swiper's claws ignited with a ghostly, blue aura, crackling with energy as he met the Yao Guai's attack head-on. With a single upward slash, the attack connected, raking deep into the beast's thick hide. Blood sprayed across the sand as the Yao Guai howled in pain, stumbling backward.
Rebecca let out a low whistle.
"Damn. That thing's got power."
Raul chuckled.
"Guess we know who's the apex predator in this fight."
The Yao Guai, though wounded, was not down yet. It shook itself off, baring its fangs. Then, with a deafening roar, it unleashed a powerful shockwave of force—its own battle instinct kicking in.
Six smirked.
"Not bad, but let's end this. Swiper, Night Slash!"
Swiper's claws shimmered with dark energy before he vanished in a blur of motion—his new Pokémon instincts enhancing his natural combat prowess. Before the Yao Guai could react, Swiper reappeared behind it, slashing across its exposed flank.
A second passed. Then the Yao Guai collapsed with a heavy thud.
Silence.
Then the crowd erupted into cheers, stomping and shouting as Red Lucy's lips curled into an impressed smile.
Six crossed his arms.
"I think we have a winner."
Red Lucy nodded.
"Indeed. Your beast is truly remarkable. You've given the Thorn a fight worth remembering."
She gestured toward Six.
"Perhaps you'd be interested in further matches? Your creature has the potential to become a legend in this arena."
Six chuckled.
"I'll think about it."
He returned Swiper to his Poké Ball before turning to his crew.
"Let's get some drinks. I feel like celebrating."
As they left the pit, the Thorn's spectators still cheered Swiper's victory, and Six had the feeling this was only the beginning.